Emotional Distress and Associated Factors among the General Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic in China: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey

Objective: This study investigated emotional distress and associated factors among the general population in the aftermath of the COVID-19 lockdown in China. Design and sample: An online nationwide survey was conducted using a self-designed questionnaire, which included items related to demography, lifestyle, and experience of emotional distress during the previous month of the pandemic period. A total of 10,545 respondents completed the survey. Results: Over 30% of participants reported experiencing one or more symptoms of emotional distress to a moderate or higher degree. Increased emotional distress was associated with COVID-19-related impact on diet (beta = -1.106, 95% CI: -1.187 to -1.026, p < 0.001), experiencing food shortage (beta = 1.334, 95% CI: 1.117 to 1.551, p < 0.001), lack of physical exercise (beta = -0.845, 95% CI: -1.024 to -0.667, p < 0.001), younger age (beta = -0.050, 95% CI: -0.062 to -0.039, p < 0.001), being a smoker (beta = 0.852, 95% CI: 0.604 to 1.100, p < 0.001), lower education level (beta = -0.524, 95% CI: -0.702 to -0.346, p < 0.001), and lack of medical insurance (beta = -0.742, 95% CI: -1.012 to -0.473, p < 0.001). Emotional distress was negatively associated time spent sleeping (beta = -0.020, 95% CI: -0.027 to -0.013, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The levels of emotional distress are high in the aftermath of the lockdown and associated with a number of demographic and lifestyle factors.